Poorest left behind in fight against unhealthy lifestyles, new report finds

Poorest left behind in fight against unhealthy lifestyles, new report finds: The proportion of people engaging in multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviours has fallen significantly according to a new report on the clustering of unhealthy behaviours over time.  However, almost all the improvement has been among higher socio-economic and better educated groups, exacerbating health inequalities. King’s Fund.

Scheme for NHS hospital trusts abroad "a real opportunity"

Scheme for NHS hospital trusts abroad "a real opportunity":
Launching this autumn, the joint scheme from the Department of Health and UK Trade and Investment will aim to link NHS hospitals with foreign governments which want access to British health services. NHS Networks

£300m social care savings urged

£300m social care savings urged: Councils in England could save £312m annually on adult social care if they carried out client assessments more effectively, a watchdog says. BBC News

GPs not backed for revalidation may face fitness-to-practise hearing

GPs not backed for revalidation may face fitness-to-practise hearing: Responsible officers (ROs) who identify concerns about a GP's fitness to practise during revalidation should refer them straight to GMC fitness-to-practise procedures or consider other local measures, a GMC guidance document says. GP Online

Monitor warns on FT finances

Monitor warns on FT finances: NHS foundation trusts are falling behind with their cost improvement plans and will find their finances under even greater strain as clinical commissioners start work this year, the sector's regulator has said. E-Health Insider

Are competition warnings to NHS trusts a sign of things to come?

Are competition warnings to NHS trusts a sign of things to come?: Competition authorities are increasingly interested in healthcare and we are likely to see more activity in this sector
This month eight NHS trusts were warned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about anti-competitive behaviour over the way they run their private patient units (PPUs).

NHS waiting times may increase at one in three flagship hospitals: report

NHS waiting times may increase at one in three flagship hospitals: report: Patient waiting times are due to increase as a growing number of NHS flagship foundation hospitals face financial difficulties, a report has warned. The Daily Telegraph

NHS reforms will lead to 'tsunami of bureaucracy': NHS leader

NHS reforms will lead to 'tsunami of bureaucracy': NHS leader: The NHS reforms will lead to 'a myriad of conflicting polices' and 'a tsunami of bureaucracy', one of the most senior figures in the health service has warned. The Daily Telegraph

NHS South West pay plans condemned by union

NHS South West pay plans condemned by union:
A group of NHS Trusts was today accused of undermining staff morale and patient care after details emerged of plans to introduce regional pay and conditions. The Independent

Fewer deaths due to hospital bugs

Fewer deaths due to hospital bugs:
The number of deaths from the hospital bugs MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) have fallen for a fourth successive year, figures suggest.The Independent

RCN launches two new publications

RCN launches two new publications: The Royal College of Nursing has today launched new guidance addressing the issues in health and social care introduced by the use of mobile phones, and new guidance on commissioning for equality.